This is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss. The durable wood is used for making boats and furniture and building houses.

Zhu and Wang (Acta Bot. Yunnan. 14: 21-24. 1992) thought that it was unreliable to separate Vatica xishuangbannaensis from V. guangxiensis based on the different number of lateral leaf veins; however, Li and Xu (Acta Bot. Yunnan. 23: 201-208. 2001) supported such a combination based on population genetic data.

Vatica fleuryana Tardieu, based on a type in flower from Vietnam but unknown in fruit, was associated by Smitinand et al. (Fl. Cambodge Laos Vietnam 25: 57. 1990) with V. diospyroides Symington, but may be the correct name for this species. Vatica diospyroides is a swamp species. The fruit will resolve the issue.